14 Years Of Kal Ho Naa Ho: Karan Johar calls it a memory 'both heartbreaking and yet full of heart'

Kal Ho Naa Ho:
A Story of a Lifetime... In a Heartbeat completed 14 years
on Tuesday. Debutant director Nikhil Advani created one of the finest romantic films that left an indelible mark in the in the hearts and minds of movie aficionados.

Karan Johar, who wrote the story and screenplay, took to social media to express his emotions. He said, “#14YearsOfKalHoNaHo ....a film that i will always strongly associate with my father....a memory that is both heartbreaking and yet full of heart....and that title song is my strength Mantra for life....”

The film received several awards including two National Film Awards. Dharma Productions produced the film, which stars Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta and Saif Ali Khan in lead roles. Niranjan Iyengar wrote the dialogues, while Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy composed the music and Javed Akhtar wrote the lyrics. In his autobiography,
An Unsuitable Boy, Johar expressed his regret at not directing the film himself.

The film was a huge commercial success and emerged as the second highest-grossing film domestically, and the highest-grossing film in overseas and worldwide collections that year. The German Embassy in India paid tribute to the film with a short eight minute video named Lebe jetzt.

Five lesser-known facts about Kal Ho Naa Ho

Kareena Kapoor was initially the first choice for Naina, but due to differences over her fees, she refused the role. Preity Zinta was the immediate next choice.

Despite winning the hearts of the audience in the role of Aman in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Salman Khan refused to play Rohit in Kal Ho Naa Ho. The role then went to Saif Ali Khan.

It was the last film to be produced by Yash Johar before his death on June 26, 2004.

Neetu Singh was the first choice for the role of Preity Zinta's mother. However, she turned down the offer and the role eventually was played by Jaya Bachchan.

Karan Johar complied with international copyright laws and bought the license to the rights to Roy Orbison’s Pretty Woman to use it in the film.

#14YearsOfKalHoNaHo ....a film that i will always strongly associate with my father....a memory that is both heart… https://t.co/OeED2hlWnt